Container

ABSTRACT

An inflatable container includes a first body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall. The inner wall is attached to the outer wall such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. A first foam is positioned within the cavity. The first foam is of a type that expands when exposed to air. At least one first valve is attached to the first body. The one or more first valves are in communication with the cavity and are configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position. The at least one first valve permits air to pass through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the open position and prevents air from passing through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/126,488, which was filed on May 5, 2008

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention lies in the field of protective enclosures for fragile articles and relates to inflatable enclosures that protect such articles breaking due to exposure to water or other liquids or forces that may be applied to the articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers may be used to hold different types of articles. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,729,259, 3,366,231, 3,587,794 and 4,262,801 each disclose a container used to hold or store an article. Often containers are used by boaters, campers or others that want to protect an article from an undesirable environment, such as dirt or moisture. This is particularly true of boaters or water enthusiasts that may want to protect an electronic device such as a camera or a cell phone from an inadvertent exposure to water.

Some containers are designed to be inflatable. Such containers typically require a user to open a valve and blow air into a valve to inflate a portion of the container to inflate the container. Such containers are often designed to be buoyant when inflated. Users often have trouble with such containers. Occasionally, such containers are difficult to inflate by a user. For instance, user's that have poor lung capacity may have difficulty inflating, or blowing up, a container. Moreover, such containers can take a relatively long amount of time to inflate.

An inflatable container is needed that provides a quicker, easier inflation system. Preferably, such a container permits quick inflation without a user having to use his or her mouth and lungs to blow up or inflate the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inflatable container is provided herein. The inflatable container includes a first body, a first foam and at least one first valve. The first body has an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall. The inner wall is attached to the outer wall such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. The first foam is positioned within the cavity. The first foam is of a type that can be compressed and will expand when exposed to air. The one or more first valves are attached to the first body. The one or more first valves are in communication with the cavity when in the open position and prevent air from passing through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the open position and prevent air from passing through the one or more valves and into the cavity when in the closed position.

The first foam may have at least one chemical, physical or structural property that permits the first foam to inflate the first body after the at least one first valve is positioned in the open position. Preferably, the first foam is a high density polyurethane foam or other open cell foam.

It should be appreciated that the one or more first valves may be one or more two-way valves, one or more one-way valves, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the cavity is an air tight cavity.

It should be appreciated that the receptacle defined by the inner wall of the first body may have an adjustable configuration. For example, the receptacle may have one size when the first body is in a deflated state and a second size or configuration when the first body is in an inflated state. For instance, an article may be easily inserted or removed from the receptacle when the first body is not inflated, but may be tightly retained within the receptacle and very difficult to remove from the receptacle when the first body is in a fully inflated position.

Some embodiments of the inflatable container may include a second body attached to the first body. The second body has an inner wall that defines at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall. The inner wall of the second body is attached to the outer wall of the second body such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and outer wall of the second body. A second foam is positioned within the cavity of the second body. The second foam is of a type that will expand when exposed to air. One or more second valves are attached to the second body. The one or more second valves are in communication with the cavity of the second body and are configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position. The one or more second valves permit air to pass through the one or more second valves and into the cavity of the second body when in the open position and prevent air from passing through the at least one second valve and into the cavity of the second body when in the closed position.

It should be understood that the second foam may be the same type of foam as the first foam or a different type of foam. In some embodiments, the first foam and the second foam may be attached together to form a unitary structure or be portions of a unitary foam structure.

In some embodiments of the container, the first body and the second body can be integrally attached such that the cavity of the second body is in communication with the cavity of the first body.

A first flap may be attached to the first body in some embodiments of the container. The first flap can extend from the first body and be moveable from an open position to a closed position. The first flap can cover the receptacle when in the closed position and at least partially not cover the receptacle when in the open position.

A second flap can also be provided in embodiments of the container. The second flap can be attached to the first body or the first flap. The second flap may be configured to move from an open position to a closed position. The closed position of the second flap is preferably configured to help keep the first flap in its closed position. Preferably, the second flap is configured to keep the first flap in an air tight engagement with a portion of the first body when the second flap is in the closed position. The second flap may be releasably attachable to a fastening mechanism attached to the first body. Preferably, the fastening mechanism includes Velcro® fastening material, fastening tape, a button or a snap.

At least one resilient strip may also be included in embodiments of the container. The one or more resilient strips can be attached to an upper portion of at least one of the inner wall or outer wall of the first body. Preferably, each resilient strip is composed of plastic foam, vinyl foam, or a resilient plastic foam.

It should be understood that the first body can be buoyant when in an inflated position. Preferably, the outer wall of the first body is composed of tarpaulin material or thermoplastic urethane.

The receptacle at least partially defined by the inner wall of the first body may have different sizes or shapes. Preferably, the receptacle is sized and configured to receive at least one article such as an electronic device or a camera.

Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Present preferred embodiments of the container are shown in the accompanying drawings and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same are also illustrated therein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first present preferred embodiment of the inflatable container in an inflated condition. A portion of an outer wall is cut away to illustrate foam positioned within the cavity of a body.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the first present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the first present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first present preferred embodiment in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the first present preferred embodiment in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the first present preferred embodiment illustrating an air valve attached to an outer wall of the container.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the first present preferred embodiment illustrating the flaps in an open position and an article within the receptacle being engaged by a portion of the inner walls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first present preferred embodiment of our container 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7. The container includes outer walls 1, 2 that are connected to each other adjacent the bottom and sides of the walls 1, 2. At least one valve is attached to an outer wall 1. It should be appreciated that more than one air valve may be attached to an outer wall. It is also contemplated that an air valve 9 may be attached to respective outer walls 1 and 2. Grommets, apertures or other fastening devices configured to permit or help permit the container 3 to be connected to various objects, such as back packs, boats, other vehicles or apparel, can also be attached to or defined by the outer walls 1 and 2.

The outer walls 1, 2, are connected to inner walls 23 and 25 to define an opening adjacent the top of the outer walls 1, 2. Each inner wall is connected to a respective outer wall 1, 2, to define two respective bodies 5, 6. Each body 5, 6 defines an enclosed cavity 36. The inner and outer walls are connected to each other such that each cavity is an air tight cavity. In some embodiments, the cavities within bodies 5 and 6 may communicate such that cavities are integral with each other and form one cavity defined by the outer walls 1 and 2 and the inner walls.

Preferably, the air valve 9 is configured to communicate with the cavities defined in bodies 5 and 6 and the air valve 9 is a large valved air flow port. Embodiments of the present invention may include more than one air valve such that each air valve is attached to respective outer walls and only communicates with a respective cavity. It should be appreciated that the air valve 9 may be a two-way valve that permits air to pass into and out of the cavities when in an open position or may be a one-way valve that only permits air into the cavities when in an open position.

As may best be seen in FIG. 7, the inner walls 23 and 25 also define a deformable receptacle 21 between the inner walls 23 and 25. The receptacle 21 has an opening 29 adjacent the top of the inner walls 23 and 25 and outer walls 1, 2 that is sized and configured to receive one or more articles 31.

A first flap 7 has one end attached to the outer wall 1 and a distal end that extends from adjacent the top of the outer wall 1. The first flap 7 is moveable from an open position to a closed position. When the first flap 7 is in the open position, objects may be placed within the receptacle 21. When the first flap 7 is in the closed position, the flap 7 covers the open end 29 of the receptacle adjacent the top of the inner walls. Preferably, the first flap 7 is closed such that it forms an air tight covering over the top of the receptacle.

The first flap 7 may be configured so that the flap 7 can be rolled about itself prior to being placed in a closed position by attaching the first flap 7 to the outer wall 2, which may best be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 4. The first flap 7 may be attached by fasteners 39 such as Velcro® fasteners, which consist of a strip of nylon with a surface of minute hooks that fasten to a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile. In other embodiments, the first flap 7 may include holes that are configured to interlock with projections (not shown) that extend from the outer wall 2 and are configured to position and lock the flap 7 in a closed position. Of course, other fastening devices can also be used, such as buttons or snaps.

A second flap 13 may also be provided. The second flap 13 may extend from adjacent the top of outer wall 1 and may also be attached to the outer wall 1. In an alterative embodiment, the second flap 13 may be attached to the first flap 7 and extend from the first flap 7.

The second flap 13 can be configured to move from an open position to a closed position. When in the closed position, the second flap 13 is attached to the outer wall 2 so that the second flap 13 is adjacent the first flap 7 and helps hold the first flap 7 in the closed position. The second flap 13 may also be configured to help keep the first flap 7 in an air tight engagement against the inner walls and/or outer walls so that any object within the receptacle 21 is in an air tight enclosure when the flaps 7 and 13 are in the closed position. Various different fastening or attachment mechanisms can be used to attach the second flap to the outer wall 2, such as buttons, snaps, or fastening tape.

Preferably, the inner and outer walls of the container 3 and the one or more flaps are composed of a flexible material such as tarpaulin material such as 500D tarpaulin material coated with polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic urethane. The inner and outer walls may be ultrasonically welded together or otherwise connected to each other.

A foam material 35 that fully expands when the air valve 9 is opened is positioned within the air tight cavities of the bodies 5 and 6 making it unnecessary to blow air into the device to inflate the walls as must be done in packaging devices known in the art. Consequently, a user merely opens the air valve 9 and the bodies 5 and 6 self-inflate. The container 3 can be deflated by squeezing the outer walls together while the air valve is open and keeping the foam compressed until the valve 9 is closed. Preferably, the foam is an open cell foam, most preferably a high density polyurethane foam. Of course, the foam may be other types of high density foams or other foams that may inflate upon exposure to air. We have found that Q16 Qualux high density foam works particularly well in this product.

The foam may be exposed to air after a user opens the valve 9 connected to the outer wall 1. As the foam expands the cavities within bodies 5 and 6, the inner walls move towards each other to engage any articles located within the receptacle. It should be understood that after the bodies 5, 6 are inflated, any articles within the receptacle will be engaged by the inner walls. Consequently, the inflated cavities and outer walls will support those one or more articles and help prevent the article or articles from being damaged in the event the container is dropped in water or on a hard surface, such as a concrete floor.

It should be appreciated that, as the bodies 5 and 6 are inflated, they force the inner walls 23 and 25 to compress the receptacle and cause the bodies 5 and 6 to provide adequate flotation in case the container falls into a body of water. The inflated container 3 can be used to store various articles, such as cameras, personal electronic devices and other fragile articles to protect the articles from mechanical shock, temperature change, shock, moisture, water, weather and is also buoyant. Some embodiments configured to provide mechanical shock protection and possible or limited flotation to help alleviate problems associated with an accidental fall into water may include various different closure apparatuses, such as a zipper or grommets and turn-button catches, that can be configured to keep the first flap 7 or second flap 13 in the closed position and guard against any object stored within the receptacle from being accidentally expelled from the receptacle. Such a closure will also allow outflow of air from the receptacle as the bodies 5 and 6 are inflated.

Embodiments of the container 3 configured to provide substantial protection for delicate or fragile articles such as glass bottles, glass or ceramic objects, cameras, cellular phones and other electronic equipment by preventing entry into the storage compartment of water, moisture, dirt, or other matter preferably include a flap, such as first flap 7 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that is configured to wrap about itself such that the first flap 7 can create an air tight covering on the top of the receptacle adjacent the inner walls.

To make use of the container 3, one or more articles are placed in the receptacle. The valve 9 may then be opened so that the foam within the bodies 5 and 6 cause the bodies 5 and 6 to inflate and cause the receptacle to compress such that the inner walls engage the articles within the receptacle. After the bodies 5 and 6 are inflated, the valve 9 may be closed. The first flap 7 can then be wrapped about itself and attached to the outer wall 2 to place the first flap 7 in a closed position, which also closes the exposed opening of the receptacle. Then the second flap 13 may be placed in a closed position.

When a user wishes to access the article, the user need only disconnect the two flaps 7 and 13 and, if necessary, may also decompress the bodies 5 and 6. The inflated bodies 5 and 6 may be decompressed by opening valve 9 and pressing the bodies 5 and 6 to expel the air out of the bodies. Preferably, the bodies 5 and 6 are compressed by pressing the bodies in a spiral motion such that bodies are wound about themselves. After the bodies 5 and 6 have been compressed, the valve 9 may be closed.

Preferably, the first flap 7 is attached to the outer wall 1 and configured for attachment to outer wall 2 such that the inner walls of the bodies 5 and 6 will move into a tighter engagement with at least the first flap 7 when the bodies 5 and 6 are inflated to add to the tightness and security of the closure for the receptacle provided by the first flap 7.

In another embodiment of our container, additional tightening of the seal between the first flap 7 and the inner walls may be obtained by providing at least one resilient strip that extends laterally across and is secured to the upper portion at least one inner or outer wall so that it can be wrapped into the spiral formation shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The resilient strip's resilience and bulk help increase the pressure and sealing effect provided by the first flap 7. Additional strips may be mounted on the opposite wall to engage the first strip and further increase the sealing effect. The strips may be composed of soft resilient plastic foam, such as vinyl foam, and can also be covered with resilient material to further increase the sealing effect. Such strips may also be subdivided so that they flex more easily.

It should be appreciated that other variations of the present preferred embodiments discussed above may be made. For example, embodiments of our container can include bodies of various different sizes configured to form receptacles that store very large or very small objects.

While certain present preferred embodiments of our inflatable container and certain embodiments of methods of practicing the same have been shown and described, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An inflatable container comprising a first body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall, the inner wall attached to the outer wall such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, a first foam positioned within the cavity, the first foam being of a type that will expand when exposed to air; and at least one first valve attached to the first body, the at least one first valve in communication with the cavity and configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position, the at least one first valve permitting air to pass through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the open position and preventing air from passing through the at least one first valve and into the cavity when in the closed position.
 2. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the cavity is an air tight cavity.
 3. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the first foam has at least one chemical, physical, or structural property that permits the first foam to inflate the first body after the at least one first valve is positioned in the open position.
 4. The inflatable container of claim 1 further comprising a second body attached to the first body, the second body having an inner wall defining at least a portion of a receptacle and an outer wall, the inner wall of the second body attached to the outer wall of the second body such that a cavity is defined between the inner wall of the second body and the outer wall of the second body, a second foam positioned within the cavity of the second body, the second foam being of a type that will expand when exposed to air; and at least one second valve attached to the second body, the at least one second valve in communication with the cavity of the second body and configured to adjust from a closed position to an open position, the at least one second valve permitting air to pass through the at least one second valve and into the cavity of the second body when in the open position and preventing air from passing through the at least one second valve and into the cavity of the second body when in the closed position.
 5. The inflatable container of claim 4 wherein the second foam is a different type of foam than the first foam.
 6. The inflatable container of claim 4 wherein the first body and the second body are integrally attached such that the cavity of the second body is in communication with the cavity of the first body.
 7. The inflatable container of claim 6 wherein the first foam is attached to the second foam such that the first foam and the second foam form a unitary structure.
 8. The inflatable container of claim 4 further comprising a first flap attached to the first body, the first flap extending from the first body and being moveable from an open position to closed position, the first flap covering the receptacle when in the closed position and at least partially not covering the receptacle when in the open position.
 9. The inflatable container of claim 1 further comprising a first flap attached to the first body, the first flap extending from the first body and being moveable from an open position to closed position, the first flap covering the receptacle when in the closed position and at least partially not covering the receptacle when in the open position.
 10. The inflatable container of claim 1 further comprising a second flap attached to the first body or the first flap, the second flap configured to move from an open position to a closed position, the closed position of the second flap configured to help keep the first flap in a closed position.
 11. The inflatable container of claim 10 wherein the second flap is configured to keep the first flap in an air tight engagement with a portion of the first body when the second flap is in the closed position and the first flap is in the closed position.
 12. The inflatable container of claim 11 wherein the second flap is releasably attachable to a fastening mechanism attached to the first body.
 13. The inflatable container of claim 10 wherein the second flap is releasably attachable to a fastening mechanism attached to the first body.
 14. The inflatable container of claim 1 further comprising at least one resilient strip attached to an upper portion of at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall of the first body.
 15. The inflatable container of claim 14 wherein the at least one resilient strip is composed of plastic foam, vinyl foam, or a resilient plastic foam.
 16. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the first body is configured to be buoyant when in an inflated position.
 17. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the first body is configured to be rolled about itself when in a deflated position.
 18. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the outer wall of the first body is composed of tarpaulin material or thermoplastic urethane.
 19. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is sized and configured to receive an article selected from the group consisting of cameras and electronic devices.
 20. The inflatable container of claim 1 wherein the at least one first valve is a one-way valve or a two-way valve. 